first of all it depends on the student himself/herself. the teacher's job is just to pass the materials in a good way to prepare the students for what will come next and to encourge them, but at the end it all depends on the students.

Archer wrote:There is a old saying that still holds true.. never try to teach a pig to dance.. it annoys the pig, and wastes the teachers time.

Brilliant!

Whose fault is it to teach a pig to dance, the pig or the teacher? I think the teacher is ridiculous to teach a pig to dance. It only means the teacher doesn't know how to choose appropriate contents to teach for the pig. An ancient philosopher in China told us 3000 years ago that teachers should teach students according to their needs and abilities. There are always differences between students. Some students are good at learning knowledge at classrooms. Some students are good at showing skills in solving practical problems. Maybe some students aren’t interested in learning in classrooms, that doesn’t mean these students have incapability in learning. A good teacher always tries to guide students to understand themselves and encourage students to fulfill their aims.

The interest of the student will always depend on the teacher.
Who would like to sit in a class with a yawning teacher in front.
Each student is different from the other and the teacher should be able to embrace them all. And I think more attention should be given to those whom they can't motivate easily. Besides, isn't it more rewarding to see greater improvement in the future.
Students can be compared to a plant if you take good care of it you'll see it flourish and yield good harvest.

yes sometimes it's the teacher's responsibility.because motivate is not only giving sweets and gifts. smiling is a very good way for motivating.saying thank u is a motivation .and other words like "perfect_very good_wow_.......etc"

TalkingPoint wrote:Is the teacher responsible for motivating students to study? Or is it each student's own responsibility to be interested in learning?

What do YOU think?

I think both. The teacher ought to make her or his greatest efforts to help the students, try to arouse their interests in study. For example, give them a praise for their every progress and no matter how small it is.
On the other hand, as a sudent, you must be responsible for youself. There is no one who can help you all the life. You have to learn to do your own things independently, like study and work.